“I have had quite enough of seeing the great big world, I can assure you and am looking forward very much to getting back to Vera and Tessa”
Here are the two letters I have found.
One is written in 1940, before Dad was called up, when Mum had gone to stay with Auntie Peg, Dad’s sister and Terry’s Mother, in Leamington Spa. That’s when she went to get away from the bombs in Southampton and arrived just in time to see Coventry going up in flames.
The other was written to my grandparents in September 1944 when Dad seems to have heard the War will soon be over, from his ship HMS Kilmacolm:
Transcript:
[Letter 1]
My dearest love,
I am writing this out in the [unclear] whilst I am stopped because of an Air Raid, I was delighted to get your letter and to know that my darlings were safe and sound. I do hope my dear little baby will settle down nicely, bless her heart.
I stayed at home on Saturday & Sunday as I had to go out all day with the Home Guard on Sunday, but I am going down to my old folks tonight. I attended to the [unclear] and went round to Kathleen's. Kath was on duty so that was all right. I got on quite well with the old lady until I said something about the [unclear] up in the air. However, I smoothed it over so that was all right. Your dad came in the office & I took him home & told your mother the glad tidings. She [unclear], not with me but with your father. I am going to lunch on Tuesday.
I do hope that you are enjoying yourself, my sweetheart but I shall be very glad to see you back. I miss you terribly & little Podges only a bit less. When you come back I am going to give you a nice bit of scrump! Mind you take care when the Germans are about.
On Sunday we went to N.Badderly when 8 regular Sergeants gave us lessons in taking cover, [unclear] etc. We had a real good time. There were very nice chaps & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Mollie came up on Saturday evening & was sorry you were not at home. I gave her some plums & took her back to [unclear]. She has had a very nice air raid shelter built in her garage. She told me she looked out for me when the Home Guards manoeuvered in Castle [unclear] the other day but did not see me. Some of the Home Guards told her that they were expecting a German invasion. When you come back she wants you to get in touch with her & arrange for us to go up for the evening. I think it could be a good idea if we had a shelter in our own garden, don't you? I have the opportunity to get corrugated iron & if you do not think Mrs [unclear - name] will be upset I think I will get it & put ours up. Write to me by return as soon as you get this, my sweetheart, & let me know. I think at a time this this a few pounds does not matter very much. We have had some dreadful raids all round here over the weekend. I will tell you when I see you.
I am glad Peg has such a nice little place. I expected you will be fancying something a bit more modern now, won't you? Give her my love & tell her I am looking forward to next Friday. Will she be able to come back with us when I come?
When I see you, my pretty lamb, I am going to give you a million kisses & this if there are any left I will start on [unclear].
I must stop now as my pen is running out of ink. All my fondest love to you my dearest dear. You are always in my thoughts. Give my dear little girl a big hug for me.
Your ever loving husband
xxxxxxxx for you
I would love to have heard her calling out Daddy to the Home Guard
[Letter 2]
My dear Mother and Father,
I was pleased to get your letters and should have replied before now but I have been starved for Air Mail blanks as no doubt Vera has told you.
You certainly appear to have had a rough time in Southampton with the [unclear] bombs. What a fortunate thing you have escaped. It sounds from the reports I get that nearly everywhere local has had a dose.
I have had quite enough of seeing the great big world I can assure you and am looking forward very much to getting back to Vera and Tessa. The news has been so good lately that I cannot believe that this will be long now. Anyway I am ready to go on leave at 1/2 hours notice as I shall not hold anybody up.
I was very close to Harold at one time last year but not near enough to get over to him and of course I did not dare write to him as it would have disclosed the ships whereabouts. I would have given anything to see him. I was about 300 miles away. I understood from Vera that there is a possibility he will be living in England after the war. I do hope so both for your sakes and his own. It is extremely hot out there although I have been in hotter temperatures since then and cannot say that I have suffered any ill effects.
It has been good to know that you were able to get up with Vera when the bombing was so bad. I am afraid she had had a boring time without me for so long, but I will make it all up to her when I get back.
Don't forget to go & see Andrew about some onions, Father. I imagine they will [unclear] by now. I hope Vera has made some strawberry jam too. I get very ravenous nowadays so I shall have to down up some of the [unclear] when I get home.
I am just going to stop for a minute and get the 3.0 news ([unclear] 6 o'clock). Everything is moving so fast we do not have to miss any broadcast.
Nothing new, theose generals must put a snap in it. They can't expect the Navy to do everything. Lets get it all over & get back to a life without [unclear] and start the East Anglians up again. I am enquiry about a short course in table manners [unclear] to my [unclear]. We only have two forks & one spoon in the mess but I can do wonders with my [unclear] knife.
All my love to you both & write again soon.
Yours affectionately [unclear]
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